The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has accused Israel of creating a malnutrition crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip through severe restrictions on food and aid deliveries, causing significant harm to pregnant women and newborns. In an analysis of medical data published Thursday, MSF said Israel's blockade of essential goods and attacks on civilian infrastructure have led to rising malnutrition among pregnant women, increasing premature births and infant mortality.
The analysis is based on incidents at four health facilities in Gaza administered or supported by MSF between late 2024 and early 2026. The charity noted that malnutrition was virtually nonexistent before Israel launched its genocidal war in October 2023, which has killed over 72,500 people. “The malnutrition crisis is entirely manufactured. Before the war, malnutrition in Gaza was almost non-existent. For 2.5 years, the systematic blockade to humanitarian aid and commercial goods on top of insecurity have severely restricted access to food and clean water,” said Merce Rocaspana, MSF’s medical referent for emergencies.
According to the data, more than half of the women treated at two hospitals suffered from malnutrition during pregnancy between June 2025 and January 2026, with 25 percent still malnourished at delivery. Ninety percent of babies born under these conditions were premature, and 84 percent had low birth weight. The World Health Organization reports that low-birth-weight infants are 20 times more likely to die and face higher risks of stunted growth and poor cognitive development.
MSF also criticized food distribution centers set up by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israel-backed scheme, calling them “militarized and deadly, barely functioning.” Over 60 percent of Palestinians in Gaza are homeless, according to the UN. A joint assessment by the UN, World Bank, and EU estimated it would cost over $71 billion to rebuild housing, the hardest-hit sector.
A “ceasefire” has been in place since October last year, but Israel has seized more territory, prompting accusations of violations. This week, Israel threatened to resume attacks after Hamas refused to disarm fully. Under the ceasefire terms, 600 aid trucks were to enter daily, but only about 150 are reportedly allowed in, according to Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary.
Source: www.aljazeera.com